GoPro video clips showing "Media Offline" in free version

Hello Davinci Resolve BM,

I am currently running Windows (64bit) 10, HP Pavillion Intel 10th gen. I have been using the free version of Davinci resolve for the past two years. I shoot all my footage on GoPro Hero black 10 and 11. Within the last copy of days as of (4/1/25) all of the media files from the GoPro's are showing "Media Offline".

I watched all the U-tube videos regarding this issue. It appeared it was not a Davinci resolve problem, because all indication was that the GoPro's files were linked to the right folders for H.265 23.976 fps. One pictural U-tube video directed the issue specifically to GoPro files and recommended installing a missing HEVC codec. I tried that route, and it did not resolve the problem.

As of 4/2/2025 I hired IT personnel to see if we could find a resolution within the software of the PC, or within the Davinci Resolve software. The only changes to my Davinci Resolve I have made in the last two months was adding some LUT's.
I don't believe this should have affected the GoPro media files.

Can you please offer some reasoning for why this situation is occurring? Or can you tell me if the "Free" version of Davinci Resolve 19 no longer supports the GoPro H.265 video format?

As mentioned above for the past 2 years I have only used GoPro media files and DJI drone files to generate my home videos. Recently I have purchased a DJI pocket 3. All of the DJI files from the "Pocket 3" and "Air 2s" are going into the Davinci Resolve editing software with no problem.

Please let me know what other information I can provide. I thank you for your consideration with this issue. I am having a wonderful learning experience using Davinci Resolve and would like to continue my learning curve. Using GoPro action is a large part of my video editing.

Thank you
MrkA

If you recorded in 10 bit, this is expected. Resolve free on Windows doesn't support 10 bit h.265/4

https://documents.blackmagicdesign.com/ ... 3705210000

Solutions,

Use a mac
Buy a $300 studio key
Transcode all the source footage to DnxHR HQX with Shutter Encoder (free)


You will be one of dozens of users this month with this same issue. It is not your fault as resolve provides no clue to the user that the file is unsupported. I have created a feature request for BM to add sensible error messages for this issue, I would love you to add your support to it here.

viewtopic.php?f=33&t=199305&hilit=+sensible+error+message

Why do folks expect so much from the free version? It’s free so there’s going to be limitations, intended to get a newbie started on Resolve. $300 is very reasonable for a perpetual Studio (full version) key.

Ugh. I’d say it’s reasonable to expect online media to not say it’s offline.

To normal human beings offline means the program can’t get to the file. In Resolve it means that OR that Resolve can’t manage to decode the file.

There should be distinct messages for these things. That’s decidedly not expecting too much from the free version.

Thanks all for your responses!

The main reason I created this post was because I could not get a straight answer from Resolve BM regarding the unsupported files. When I did speak with BM directly, I ask the service personnel if I could be transferred to support to ask, "one question". And we all know the answer to that. Support is intended for those who have the "Studio" version of DR.

At which time I told the service personnel on the phone I was interested in purchasing the studio version of Resolve and wanted to know one thing before making my decision to buy. She then informed me I needed to purchase the "Key" and then I could speak with someone in support. In somewhat of a hostile tone, I explained to her, why would anyone purchase something before having their question answered?

She did transfer me to support, were the support technician skated around the question, and informed me I would get my best answers from the forum. The forum is a great vehicle for all of us looking for answers to issues. After seeing all the responses for the link set up by ZRGANDNE, I definitely felt a sense of relive that I was not alone with this issue.

Moving forward, I will go ahead and purchase the Studio version of Davinci Resolve 19 and make the best of it. I have had the benefit of using DR for 2 years for "free". Nothing last forever, time to pay the toll... Mahalo to all, and happy Editing!

Ugh. I’d say it’s reasonable to expect online media to not say it’s offline.

To normal human beings offline means the program can’t get to the file. In Resolve it means that OR that Resolve can’t manage to decode the file.

There should be distinct messages for these things. That’s decidedly not expecting too much from the free version.

Exactly, I am fine with the paywall. Resolve free is better in many ways than Adobe's rent only option.

But completely absurd to leave users blind as to what the paywall limitation are.

Some users don't even get the media offline red screen, they just get garbled video, making troubleshooting even more confusing as the files play fine with other programs.

And the paywall limitations not being there in Mac and there in PC is another point of confusion

Thirdly, the manual included in resolve doesn't even document this, you need to hunt for a separate document from BM.

[quote="ZRGARDNE
But completely absurd to leave users blind as to what the paywall limitation are.Thirdly, the manual included in resolve doesn't even document this, you need to hunt for a separate document from BM.[/quote]
You can always ask here and we'll tell you where the document is:

https://documents.blackmagicdesign.com/ ... 1484810000

I don't know of a codec list for Resolve 20 yet. I agree that it would be nice if when you tried to load a 10-bit H.264 file into the free version of Resolve, you got an error message that said, "Sorry, this codec will only work in Resolve Studio."

Look at it this way: you would get worse results with the free versions of Avid or FCPX or Premiere (since they don't exist).

You have to give credit to BM for free version.
In the same time it’s trivial for BM to change wording in case codec is missing.
Off line is so confusing. This been mentioned countless times.
Really easy fix.